Liriodendron tulipifera 'AUREOMARGINATUM' tulip tree
Liriodendron
The genus Liriodendron includes only two species — the North American L. tulipifera and the Chinese L. chinense. Both belong to the magnolia family (Magnoliaceae) and are considered living fossils, with origins dating back to the Tertiary period. Liriodendron tulipifera, commonly known as the tulip tree, is a tall deciduous tree native to the eastern United States. It can reach heights of up to 50 meters and is prized for its decorative leaves, tulip-shaped flowers, and high-quality timber. It was introduced to Europe in 1663 and has been cultivated in the Czech Republic since the early 19th century. The species was formally described by Carl Linnaeus in 1753.
The name Liriodendron comes from the Greek leirion (lily) and dendron (tree), meaning “lily tree.” While this poetic name has endured for centuries, it’s botanically misleading — the tree has no real connection to lilies. In fact, its distinctive leaves, with their saddle-like shape and elegant lobes, resemble a lyre far more than any flower. One could argue that “lyre tree” would be a more fitting name, capturing both its musical silhouette and graceful presence in the landscape. Still, tulip tree fits best — because the flowers truly are tiny tulips.
Aureomarginatum is a tulip tree variety that truly shines in spring. Its uniquely saddle-shaped, deciduous leaves emerge bright green, edged with a striking, irregular daffodil-yellow margin. It’s a spectacular sight – and one to savour – because this burst of spring colour is fleeting. As summer arrives, the yellow fades into a soft green, giving the tree a calmer tone without losing its elegance. In June and July, tulip-like flowers appear among the foliage: creamy yellow petals with an orange centre, glowing like tiny lanterns scattered through the crown. Trees begin flowering at around six to seven years of age. Tulip trees are known for their genetic stability, and reversions of variegation are rare – though the old specimen in Gunnersbury Park, London, is a notable exception (confirming the rule).
The history of this cultivar reaches deep into the 19th century. The first known mention dates to 1869, when Belgian horticulturist Louis van Houtte described it as Luteo-marginatum. It later appeared under the names Variegatum (Lavallée, 1877) and Aureo-variegatum (Jäger & Beissner, 1889), all likely referring to the same clone. In the United States, it is now also sold under trade names such as ‘Majestic Beauty’ or ‘Flashlight’, but its origin remains true to the spontaneous mutation that gave rise to this exceptional form. Although variegated, it grows nearly as fast as the typical species, and in garden settings can be expected to reach between 10 and 20 metres over a century – depending on site conditions and available space. In open landscapes, however, it can grow much larger, and documented exceptions include the tallest known specimen above the lake at Stourhead Park in Wiltshire, England. It was planted in 1906 and by 2016 it had reached an impressive 30 metres, making it one of the largest variegated trees ever recorded.
Pruning is generally unnecessary, as the tree naturally forms a dense, pyramidal shape with a handsome silhouette. However, if you need to reduce its size or shape it, always prune right after flowering — as a member of the magnolia family, it blooms at the tips of its branches, and spring pruning would remove the buds. You can grow it as a shrub with branches from the base, or as a single-trunk tree with a canopy above head height.
Plant your tulip tree in a sunny, open location with plenty of space. It tolerates windy sites if moisture is sufficient. It thrives best in rich, well-drained soil, ideally slightly acidic — adding peat can help. The soil should be moist but not waterlogged, although once established, the tree can handle short-term flooding after heavy rains. In its native habitat, it grows in a mild, humid climate with high humidity, which is hard to imitate in dry, continental climate of Central Europe. If you can’t plant it near water, ensure occasional watering, especially during summer heat and drought. Young single-trunk trees should be staked to help them root well and grow straight. Tulip trees are resistant to pests and diseases, and mature wood can withstand frosts down to –30 °C (USDA zone 5). The root system is shallow, wide-spreading, and actively seeks water. For this reason, avoid planting it too close to buildings, walls, or underground utilities — a minimum distance of 5 meters is recommended to prevent structural or pipe damage
Last update 17-06-2012; 11-08-2025
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- STANDARD QUALITY - Plants of this group are 1st class quality with number of branches and overall density adequate to their size and age, considering they were container grown.
- DE LUXE QUALITY - This label guarantees a luxurious quality of manually selected plants that, compared to their height and age, are exceptionally dense and beautiful.
- EXTRA - These plants are usually mature and bigger specimens with exceptional overall appearance.
- STANDARD (as described in the plant form) means a tree with a trunk of 190-210 cm and a crown at the top, unless specified differently. The commercial size for trees is their girth measured in the height of 1m from ground.
- HOBBY - These plants are of the same quality as our standard-quality plants but younger and therefore cheaper.
- SHRUB - a woody plant with branches growing bushy from the ground level.
- HALF-STANDARD or MINI-STANDARD - a small tree with shorter trunk, its size is usually specified.
- FEATHERED - These are trees with branches growing already from the base of the trunk and up along the stem.
- GRASSES and PERENNIALS - Sizes given usually read the diameter of the pot or the clump, as specified.
